L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca says deputies would enforce marijuana laws even if Prop. 19 passes

Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca said Friday his deputies’ marijuana enforcement would not change even if Proposition 19, which would legalize the drug in California, passes Nov. 2.

“Proposition 19 is not going to pass, even if it passes,” Baca said in a news conference Friday at sheriff's headquarters in Monterey Park.

Baca, whose department polices three-fourths of the county, was bolstered Friday by an announcement from the Obama administration that federal officials would continue to “vigorously enforce” marijuana laws in California, even if state voters pass the measure.

Baca said the proposition was superseded by federal law and if passed, would be found unconstitutional.

Campaign contributions: Who has given for and against Prop. 19? 

Flanked by other opponents of the measure, including Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley, Baca made a colorful assault on marijuana use and sales. Asked if he had ever experimented with the drug, Baca was unequivocal. “Hell no,” he said.

Baca said legalizing marijuana would have far-reaching repercussions, including increasing the costs of drug rehabilitation, causing traffic accidents, prompting labor disputes with employees getting high on the job and providing a safe cover for drug cartels selling harder narcotics.

California’s laws for personal users already are lenient, he said.

“If you have a need for an ounce or less … then use your marijuana, but use it privately,” he said. “If you want to do a joint in your house, do it. Leave the rest of us alone.”

Baca said personal users smoking in their homes were already a non-priority for police agencies, including his own. His department’s target, he said, are the dealers.

Baca came out against the measure early on, joining forces with Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) to try to defeat it. Polls have shown California voters are split.

Baca said Friday local law enforcement agencies should abide by federal drug laws prohibiting marijuana even if the state measure passes.

“[Prop.] 19 has no effect on what we’re going to do,” he said

-- Robert Faturechi in Monterey Park

Photo: L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca. Credit: Los Angeles Times

Read more:

Proposition 19: California's marijuana legalization debate

 

Comments

[Gary]

Wouldn't that free up resources whereas he can tackle more serious crimes? 19 would also have a huge affect on drugs coming across the border. What is he thinking?

[Jeff Nash]

What if Sheriff Baca doesn't like the results of the next election for LA County Sheriff? Would he think it acceptable to ignore the will of the voters in that situation as well? Whether or not you support Prop 19, having an elected law enforcement leader who's stated publicly that his beliefs outweigh the wishes of the electorate is intolerable.

[Corby]

The one thing no one has ever challenged is when marijuana was made illegal the reason for the illegality was that marijuana made black men rape white women.

The Republicans hate marijuana because it makes you a democrat.

The Democrats hate marijuana because it makes you realize you don't need the government any more.

And as for the argument that marijuana legalization will make kids have more access to it; When I was 14 years old at my school I could get pot, acit, coke, speed, herione (which I didnt buy) once when I was 15, ectacy.

The only drug I couldn't get was alcohol without getting someone to buy for me, which my parents would buy it for me if I wanted it so we would stay at home and party and not drive around and hurt anyone like most teens have to do because there are parents are just like Baca loser here.

Is it no surpise these guys say:
Don't pass this law, there will be less jobs for law enforcement, prisons (part of the rural employment program), probation officers.

Oh and last point (sorry this long but this outrages me):
My mother lives in Mexico where gang violence is at an all time high;

Do the Corona and the Tecate companies shoot it out or cut each other's heads off ?

Anyone not for this measure is not informed on the issue.

And very last statement for anyone who things marijuana laws are currently good.

I knew a girl who didn't smoke marijuana; went on a date with someone - first date, the guy got pulled over, had marijuana on him, and both were charged with marijuana.

She fought it and beat the case (with over $3,000 in legal fees and multiple drug tests at her own expense). But with our great drug laws, 15 years later she has been turned down for jobs (she has a masters degree) because while there was no convinction, the arrest is still on her record.

Now for everyone that wants their son or daughter to go thru this because they might be in a car with the wrong person, you don't deserve to be in the land of the free as far as I am concerned.

[ThugFife]

Baca and his County thugs are legendary. There are hundreds of stories about these urban terrorists violating civil rights and just being plain old pricks.

[The Bad Guy I guess]

What a narrow minded Pin head and pawn, Does he know what the Constitution was written on??? Marijuana paper...aka HEMP. wake up buddy, the people who would be smoking are smoking right now. Stop bad guys with guns...not peaceful stoners in the pursuit of liberty...Keep America Free! Free from narrow minded thinkers with their own corrupted goals from running things! Bet this dudes had a beer or a glass of wine. What Hypocrisy...

[Robert C.]

Prop. 19 means less business for government workers (cops), who now constitute a new upper class. Oh, and now marijuana trafficing will become a cover for harder drug traffic? Actually, it will ELIMINATE cross-border marijuana traffic so where's the cover? You can stuff meth in a bag of diapers, Mr. Baca, should we make diaper trafficing illegal too, Mr. Baca?

Drugs in the work place? Prop. 19 does not prevent drugs from being disallowed by an employer in the workplace, just as you can't go to work drunk. Prop. 19 does not allow driving while stoned. EVERYTHING Mr. Baca says about Prop. 19 is baseless.

If someone wants to gut their lives in a drug-induced malaise, that's their business, and like the Governer says, California can't afford to enforce these over-reaching laws. And did I read it right, that Mr. Baca intends to enforce Federal laws? What else could he mean? Let's vote this self-interested government worker OUT of office!

[Surfpipe]

For the most part, the people who want to smoke cannabis will smoke it whether it's legal or not. Those who don't want to smoke it, won't. The only difference after the law passes is that those who smoke it can't get in trouble with the law. If it's legal, it's not like everyone is going to start smoking pot. Alcohol is legal and not everyone drinks it. It's a personal choice with personal responsibility. Now the illegal pot dealers are another issue altogether. By the way, some of the most successful and responsible people I know enjoy the relaxing benefits of cannabis on a regular basis. Give me a break BACA.

[The Bad Guy I guess]

Stephen-You have a point, but true change needs to start somewhere...hemp has a lot more uses than just smoking...last I checked we were looking for alternative resources. But letting the educated/wealthy who want to smoke have a pass while tons of young peoples lives get ruined in the penal system on a pot charge is not right! If I recall right the feds also said they would not let prop 215 happen...But it did!

[jbj]

You can bet your last cent this is ALL about money. There may be a few, albeit very few, honest law enforcement agencies in the whole USA. Having been on the inside for 48 years I can honestly assert to this. Once any "drug" is legal the whole structured farce is going to tumble and crumble. Protect and serve....you bet, all the way to the bank.

[Crystane]

I think he should concentrate on more important things he currently has on the table. Over 3 years to get rape kits tested!!! pfft sad truly sad.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department have announced that they have completed counting and outsourcing nearly 5,000 backlogged rape kits that sparked controversy in 2008.

Crimes reported for six months ending Sept. 5:
17,976
VIOLENT CRIMES
72,331
PROPERTY CRIMES

[ApostasyUSA]

This is all a payola smoke screen. Many industries have much to lose if California passes Prop 19. The Mexican drug cartels also have much to lose. So get ready for the fear mongering campaign bankrolled by the opponents of legalizing pot. Personally, I would vote yes on 19, but for many more reasons than the new tax revenue or the drop in enforcement costs to police agencies. I see prop 19 as a way to the legalization of the growing of hemp, something our forefathers did. The constitution is written on hemp paper for Christ sake. It’s time we legalize weed and let a whole new legal market place open up. I can drink a beer, or have some tobacco; I should be able to smoke some weed. The prohibition of marijuana is stupid.

[imominous]

Hell no, Baca has never tried cannabis! Why would he?

He's buzzing on his own blend of Scientology and ego stroking! Sadly, much more dangerous than pot, Scientology can cause permanent brain damage, delusions, and an overweening sense of one's own importance in the scheme of things.

[Olden_Atwoody]

“Proposition 19 is not going to pass, even if it passes,” Baca said..."

Thus, the Obama administration fights local sheriffs in Arizona for enforcing Federal immigration laws, but supports local sheriffs in California enforcing Federal drug laws.

Wow! The military takeover of ther United States has begun!

[ryan]

that's funny how can he enforce a federal law when he is a state employee. State employee's enforce state NOT FEDERAL law.

[John Sloans]

Well it looks like LA County is going to have a NEW SHERIFF next election..

And it sure looks like Obama just lost the California vote in 2012

These people are OUR representatives and we voted them in! Well it is time to correct our mistake!

Buh Bye BACA

[Ken]

So now we have local and federal law enforcement completely willing to ignore the will of the people. I don't feel so proud to be an American today.

[Olden_Atwoody]

I suggest that Sheriff Baca will face hundreds, if not thousands of individual civil suits, for his words and actions, should he direct the illegal arrest of citizens after passage of 19.

I certainly hope he can shield his pension and personal assets. With all the eager lawyers in California, he will be unemployed, homeless, and bankrupt within a year.

Unfortunately, he really should discuss this with his personal attorney, for with his seditious comments recorded in print and electronic media, the cow is already out of the barn.

Mr. Sheriff - you have violated trust today - broke your oath to the people, the fiduciary responsibilty of your office, as surely as a cop taking a bribe on the street. Sadly, you are too consumed with power to realize it yet, but - in my opinion - you will fall hard, and die a broken and disgraced man. History will not remember you well - a man who never retired, but spent his final days in endless cout hearings.

[BillW]

We live in a Democracy, not a dictatorship, and Baca was not elected dictator. He is either lying, or wholly ignorant about Constitutional law. If Prop 19 passes, it is NOT "unconstitutional". True, Marijuana use may still be illegal under federal law. But there is nothing in the US Constitution that forces local police to ignore the will of the voters and make something illegal under state law. Once Prop 19 passes, there is no longer a CA law for Baca to enforce. So any attempt by him to arrest or hold people under CA law can and must be thrown out by the courts because it would be unconstitutional under our CA state Constitution. And if Baca can't live with that, then he is violating his oath of office and should be removed from his position.

[BrunSteve]

I see on this website the "Crime LA" figures that show 17,976 violent crimes and 72,331 property crimes have been committed this year.

I'm sure the victims would prefer that Sheriff Baca work on solving those crimes instead of wasting money and manpower vainly trying to keep the sinking boat of drug prohibition afloat.

Peter Christ of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition said something to the effect, "It is NOT our job as cops to protect you from yourself. It's our job to protect you from each other."

Sheriff Baca needs to look at his priorities.

[GJ]

Lee Baca is just trying to uphold a great American tradition of getting rich through corruption and ill gotten gains. Just look at Joe Kennedy and Prescott Bush as examples for the great American dream. If weed becomes legal, it'll be another product that will have no profit left due to taxation and corporate management. It will likely get outsourced in due time.

[u know]

Time to vote Baca and al of those other stupid democrats out of office! NO on Feinstein, NO on Boxer, NO on Harris, NO on Brown, NO on Obama. If they wont respect the will of the people then they are out of here! If you do, or if you did vote for any of these people you have no right to complain. It common sense, these policticians already told you they oppose Prop 19. So what are you going to do about it???

[Rob]

Didn't the Federal Government just sue Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio for enforcing federal immigration laws because they say it's the Feds' job and NOT his? Why would Baca enforcing federal drug laws be any different? If the voters of California say they want cannabis de-criminalized, Baca has no legal basis to ignore it.

Listen Mr. Baca, why don't you worry about the real crime going on in this county -- Child molestors, identity theft, gang activity, burglary, drunk driving, etc. Doesn't your department have more important things do be doing than picking on pot smokers? Get a grip sir! It's clearly time that we elect a sheriff who focuses on real law enforcement, not a politician looking to impress the Federal Government.

YES on 19....AND....Next time around, NO on Baca

[u know]

Hilarious, even the liberal politicians oppose Prop 19. Even funnier to hear all of the dopers cry about it.

[jack_sprat]

I'm usually on the side of law enforcement, but if LA's cops follow Baca's lead in this, then what choice would the people have BUT to go wild on the cops a**es?

[bent]

The parents of the Baby Boomers, The "Refer Madness" generation, are slowly dying out and with them the stigma on marijuana use. That entire generation was propagandized against marijuana with no way of knowing or discovering the truth. The Ron Mann film, "Grass," narrated by Woody Harrelson, portrays this propaganda and the reasons for it in an historically accurate light.

Rank and file cops don't usually support tough marijuana laws, they'd rather spend their time and resources fighting actual crime. It's the desk cops, like Baca, the ones looking at the budget numbers that know just how much money is brought into "the system" by mandatory minimum sentences and asset forfeiture laws, and they are loathe to give up the revenue.

Black market prices drive border and gang violence. Remove the profit, remove the motive. I know my marijuana is locally grown, and I know that there isn't a single cartel or gang member getting rich off of my marijuana dollar.